Cigarette case construction



'Nov. 9, 1937.

A. F. REILLY CIGARETTE CASE CONSTRUCTION Filed May 4, 19:55

MO 4 2 M A\ 0 6 4 2/ I INVENTOR AZf/'ed if fieill Patented Nov. 9, 1937 PATENT QFFEQE 2,098,930 CIGARETTE CASE CONSTRUCTION Alfred F. Reilly, North to Evans Case Company,

Attleboro, Mass, assignor North Attleboro,

Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application May 4, 1935, Serial No. 19,797

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a cigarette case construction.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide. a construction of the above character which will be simple, practical, and thoroughly durable Another object is to provide a construction of the 7 above character which may be made from inexpensive materials and Whose manufacture is free from complication and detail work. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character which will be neat and attractive in appearance and yet be of such sturdy construction as to withstand hard usage. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character which, while being thin and of desirable dimensions, will hold a large number of cigarettes. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character from which cigarettes may be removed with extreme facility and yet which retains the cigarettes until removal is desired. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, asexemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claim.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one of the various embodiments of this invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective View of my cigarette case in an open position and having cigarettes therein;

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the case shown in Figure 1 in a closed position; and

Figure 3 is a vertical lateral sectional view of my case taken along line 33 of Figure 2.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawmg.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of certain features of this invention, it might here be pointed out that in many cigarette cases now in use it is very difiicult to remove the cigarettes therefrom without bending or otherwise damaging them. Many of these cases have a ramp or the like adjacent the cigarette holding compartment so that one end of the cigarettes must slide thereover during removal. Also, where a spring pressed arm is used to hold the cigarettes in such a compartment, the arm may seriously damage the cigarettes during their removal and consequent passage over the ramps referred to. To

prevent such damage, it is usually necessary to raise the retaining means, as, for example, a spring pressed arm, before removing a cigarette from the case, this being bothersome and inconvenient. Furthermore, many of these cases are bulky'in construction having the cigarettes located in inaccessible positions while in others certain projections on the parts are apt to catch in the cigarettes to damage them. One of the objects of this invention is to provide a construction in which the above-mentioned difficulties as well as many others are successfully overcome.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, there is shown in Figure 1 a cigarette case generally indicated at W as it would rest in the palm of 1 the hand. Preferably the bottom member generally indicated at H and the lid generally indicated at |2 are pressed from sheet metal and have substantially flat center portions 40 and I6 respectively. As better shown in Figure 3, bottom member H has upturned longitudinal sides 4| and 42.

Preferably along the side M of the lid l2 and side 42 of bottom member N there are formed spaced eye portions 43 and 44 respectively (Figure 1) shaped to interfit with each other. A pin l5 extends therethrough to form a hinged connection therebetween generally indicated at ll. Several of the eye portions 43 and 44 are cut away to leave openings and 5| thus exposing portions of pin l5 to be more fully discussed hereinafter. -Thus, I have provided two oppositely dished members hingedly connected, and capable of closing to form a container.

Right angle end flanges generally indicated at I8 and I9 (Figure 1) are provided on bottom member connecting sides 4| and 42 thereof and forming end walls for the bottom member, these parts being secured in position in any desirable manner. The end portions |8a, |8b, I91; and |9bof flanges I8 and I9 slope downwardly to merge with sides 4| and 42. Flanges l8 and I9 may be secured to bottom member II in any convenient manner; however, as best shown in Figure 2, both flanges are preferably out out to form seats 20 and 2| preferably equal in depth to the thickness of bottom member Thus, the opposite ends of bottom member rest in seats 20 and 2| and may be soldered or otherwise secured in this position. Furthermore, the bottom surface of bottom member lies flush with the bottom edge of flanges 8 and I9 making a. neat, strong construction and enhancing the appearance of the case.

Still referring to Figure 2, the upper or exposed edges of flanges l8 and I9 are also cut out to provide seats 41 and 48 preferably similar in dimensions to seats 20 and 2|. Accordingly, it will now be clear that bottom member II is bordered on one longitudinal edge by eye portions 44, on another by side 4|, and on the ends by flanges l8 and l 9 having exposed seats 41 and 48.

Preferably the distance between the opposing faces of flanges l8 and I9 is greater than the length of two standard size cigarettes while the height of flanges I8 and I9 is in excess of the diameter of such a cigarette. The length of cover I2 is preferably equal to the distance between the vertical portions of seats 41 and 48. Thus, when the cover is in the closed position shown in Figure 3, end edges 24 and 25 thereof (Figure '1) fit snugly within the seats (Figure 2) to provide a flush interfit therewith. Positioned substantially midway between the ends 24 and 25 of lid l2 and preferably parallel thereto is a partition 35 preferably equal in height to flanges l8 and I9 and extending between sides I 3 and I4. A cut-out portion 52 on the inner end thereof fits about hinge ll. The distance between partition 35 and ends 24 and 25 is greater than the length of standard size cigarettes. Accordingly, when such cigarettes rest on the lid having one end against partition 35, the other end thereof is spaced from ends 24 and 25. Thus, when the case is closed, there are two compartments within which two rows of cigarettes may be stored in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter.

As mentioned above, openings 50 and 5| are provided in hinge H and these openings are preferably located midway between ends 24 and 25 and partition 35. A pair of arms generally indicated at 28 and 29 are hingedly connected to pin I5 by eye portions 56 and 51 extending thereabout (Figures 1 and 3). Eye portions 56 and 51 are preferably shorter than openings 50 and 5| leaving room for a pair of coil springs 3| and 32 mounted on pin 15. The ends 33a and 32a, of springs 31 and 32 press outwardly against bottom member H and, as best shown in Figure 1, arms 28 and 25 have cut-out portions 58 and 59 adjacent the springs forming ledges upon which rest ends 3219 and 33b of the springs. Referring to Figures 1 and 3, arms 23 and 29 preferably have bent-down end portions 280. and 29a resting upon surface It of lid l2. Thus, cigarettes may be placed thereunder conveniently and without damage thereto. Accordingly, as springs 3! and 32 constantly press against bottom member H and lid 52 by way of arms 28 and 29, the case springs into the open position shown in Figure 1 unless held closed. Also, arms 28 and 29 are constantly pressed against lid l2 and thus press against cigarettes placed thereunder. Accordingly, I have provided a construction admirably suited for holding cigarettes upon the lid of my case.

As better shown in Figure 3, preferably the outer edges of lid I2 and member II are flattened to provide for a snug fit when the case is in the closed position and substantially midway between the ends 24 and 25 of lid l2 there is a lug 31 extending into the case and preferably swaged therefrom. In a similar location on the bottom l2, there is a catch generally indicated at 10. Although catch 10 may be of any desirable construction, it preferably comprises a hook portion 39 positioned to interlock with lug 31. Hook 39 is secured to a flat spring 56 preferably resting flush against the bottom and having its ends attached to side 4| of the lid. A finger piece 38 extends through side 4| and is connected to spring 56. Thus, pressure on the finger piece moves catch portion inwardly and release thereof allows the catch to return to its normal position. When the case is closed, hook portion 39 snaps over lug 31 to hold the case closed; pressure on the finger piece releases the catch and allows the case to spring open under the impetus of springs 3i and 32.

It will now become clear that I have provided a unique cigarette construction having many advantages, most important of which are economical manufacture and convenience of operation. One of the most troublesome characteristics of cigarette cases of this general character is the inaccessible position of the cigarettes after the lid or cover has been opened. The removal of the cigarettes from the case is often bothersome and sometimes results in damage thereto. However, in my case, after. the cover has been opened, the cigarettes may be easily slipped out in longitudinal directions from the opposite ends 24 and 25 of the lid. It is not even necessary to raise the arms 23 and 29 to remove the cigarettes, and removal thereof without lifting these arms will not damage the cigarettes.

The natural position of the cigarettes case when open in the palm of the hand is shown in Figure l, and it will be seen that the lid snaps into a substantially horizontal position, as the catch member must be operated by the thumb. Accordingly, all the cigarettes are, in effect, removed from the container or bottom member ll simultaneously with the opening of the lid so that they are in an accessible position.

Furthermore, due to the simplicity of the construction of this case, the methods of manufacture may be simplified to achieve considerable economies and also inexpensive material may be employed.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a thoroughly practical and efficient construction in which the several objects hereinabove referred to as "well as many others are successfully accomplished.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawing, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

A cigarette case having a length sufficient to receive two groups of cigarettes, arranged longitudinally of the case, said case comprising a bottom member having end walls, and a lid hinged to one side of the bottom member and having a central partition for separating the groups of cigarettes, the lid being generally fiat and without end walls, whereby the cigarettes may be removed by longitudinal movement from said lid, the ends of the lid being adapted to contact said bottom member end walls when said lid is in closed position, said lid having resiliently pressed means removably retaining the cigarettes;

ALFRED F. REILLY. 

